Entrepreneurs Fuel Retro Revival

Two Cape-based entrepreneurs are breathing new life into vintage Vespas. In adding a rental division, Scoot Doctor owners, Neil Felgate and Pete Milne will not only expand their ingenious business model but are, at the very least, set to welcome a few more members into the Vespa-loving, “free riders’ club”.

Nestled among towering office blocks in the centre of the Mother City’s CBD are a variety of off-beat establishments, profiting from icons of yester-year. From vinyl records to retro furnishings, owners of thrift or antique and collectables stores survive on our love of high-quality classics.

Through the doors of 201 Bree Street, you’ll find a business attracting collectors of a somewhat different kind – those who wouldn’t blink at spending R89 000 on an Italian-designed classic scooter.

For the last two years, Neil Felgate has customised, refurbished and serviced bikes for Vespa owners living in and around Cape Town, with his first custom build commissioned by local musician, Jeremy Tolly of the band, the Dirty Skirts.

“The idea behind the store is the holistic servicing, repair, rental, maintenance and sales of classic scooters,” explains partner, Pete Milne, who came on board earlier this year to help expand the business and launch a rental division. “Born from Neil’s love of tinkering with engines, it’s the one-stop-shop for all your classic and retro scooter needs,” he adds.